Weak & Poor

Earth's Fall- Day 5112- 11:03AM- The Shed, Mayskeep, Tundra, North Wing.

Little Levi made his way to the basement. It was a bright morning and his young brain was headed for adventures. He descended the stairs slowly and cautiously, gently opening the door ajar.

He saw his father's back facing him amidst the surrounding darkness. The man was leaning over a table covered in numerous papers, illuminated by a bright white light beaming from the low ceiling.

"Dad?" Levi called out to him.

"His father turned to see his son at the door, took in a deep breath, and calmly asked, 'What are you doing here, Levi?'" 

Levi walked in with his fingers crossed behind his back and said, "I was wondering if you would join me in a system play. You can be Chris Redfield, and I'll be Leo-"

"Levi, I don't have time for those sorts of things," his father interrupted coldly. "Go outside and play with your friend."

Levi stood disappointed, "It's just that Mom used to cosplay with me every Goby morning."

"But she's dead now, isn't she?!"

There was a pause. Levi's father noticed his flaw and tried to touch Levi, but the little boy wiggled away and ran back upstairs.

He was angry, angry at his father. He stomped into the open room, sat on a chair, and rested his head on the metal table. He heard a knock on the front door and stood up to answer it.

Levi opened the door, revealing a rather regal man. "Hello!" The man boomed with a smile. He had blonde hair, was tall, and wore a black suit. "How are you? Could you please call Daddy for me?"

Little Levi stood still, unimpressed, as he held the door. He looked up at the man and asked, "Why? What do you want?"

"Levi, be kind to people," his father's voice emerged from behind him, "This is Mr. Lance, Levi." His father looked at the man, "Come in."

Levi reluctantly gave way for the man to enter. They hardly ever had any visitors, let alone a man in a suit.

∞

"How was he able to do that?" Levi asked, amazed. He saw everyone around the boy who was floating in the air with flames clapping and patting him on the back. 

Abby double-tapped Levi on his shoulder and said, "Everyone of us can do special things like he just did. Come on, let's go," as they walked across the large room.

"So you can do something like that?"

"Yes," she said, showing him her palm while sparks of electricity danced around her fingers. "This is my ability."

Levi was astonished. He didn't notice when she kept on walking, "You can do something like this, you know."

"Me?" Levi asked nervously as he quickly kept up with her.

"Yes, like I said, every ingent can."

They arrived at a stand across the room. Levi watched as the boy who performed the fire trick undressed from the safety attire. They approached a tall man, the only adult not in white, who was sitting cross-legged, seemingly in charge.

"He the new?" The blonde man asked Abby. She nodded in confirmation. The man handed Levi a piece of paper.

"What's this?" Levi asked, taking the paper.

"Read what's on it," the man ordered without looking at Levi's face.

Levi nervously looked at Abby before reading out what he saw on the paper, "Nine." He squinted in confusion and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"That's your name now... Nine," the man said as he stood up. He finally took a look at Levi's face, cocking his head and asking, "Do I know you?"

"I... I don't think so," Levi stammered

"Follow me," the man ordered, leading them to a corner of the room. Levi could see various scientific laboratory equipment. He was shown into a vertical transparent box, studying its interior. Although he couldn't discern the purpose of the items inside, he was certain it was advanced technology. Abby stood outside the box, observing him and giving him a look that conveyed, 'just do what they ask you to do.'

"Place your hands on the dashboard," the man said, folding his arms as a few staff members began operating the computer set opposite the box. Levi complied with the request. "Now," the man ordered the staff.

Levi watched the solemn staff as they worked on the computers before them. He began to feel a surge of energy, which was somewhat painful, but he refrained from screaming in front of everyone. 

When the pain subsided, a dull grey light emanated from the top of the box. Levi turned to Abby, and he noticed her gaze shift downward. What did the light signify? He heard the box open, and he stepped out. The man approached him and delivered a hard slap on his back. "I knew you'd be a washout," he snickered.

Levi approached Abby, aware of everyone's attention on him. As they exited The Den, Levi spoke up, his tone edged with tension. "Care to explain what that was all about?" he asked.

Abby frowned as they walked back into the hallway. She began, "When I arrived at this place, they assigned me the name Bee." She paused, turning to face him. "When I entered the box, it displayed red. There are five colours—golden, red, blue, green, and grey. Each signifies capabilities in hierarchy, and grey is the lowest. It indicates very weak and poor abilities."

Levi stood motionless, attempting to process what she had just revealed. She pressed on, "Yours showed grey, which suggests your abilities will be no more advanced than something like 'understanding multiple languages'." She let out a sigh. "Try not to dwell on it. Come, I'll introduce you to the others."